I have been far, far abroad, and
have seen much, and transacted much, since I last spoke with
you. During that space, I grievously suspect that you have been
guilty of great crimes and misdemeanours, crimes that would
have sunk an unregenerated person to perdition; but as I knew it
to be only a temporary falling off, a specimen of that liberty by
which the chosen and elected ones are made free, I closed my
eyes on the wilful debasement of our principles, knowing that the
transgressions could never be accounted to your charge, and that
in good time you would come to your senses, and throw the
whole weight of your crimes on the shoulders that had voluntarily
stooped to receive the load."
"Certainly I will," said I, "as I and all the justified have a good
right to do. But what crimes? What misdemeanours and
transgressions do you talk about? For my part, I am conscious of
none, and am utterly amazed at insinuations which I do not
comprehend."
"You have certainly been left to yourself for a season," returned
he, "having gone on rather like a person in a delirium than a
Christian in his sober sense. You are accused of having made
away with your mother privately; as also of the death of a
beautiful young lady, whose affections you had seduced.
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